Manufactured in 1933 and delivered in that year with five others to the Scottish Motor Tractor
Company for the purpose of inaugurating a passenger service from the British mainland to the
Shetland Islands. Used in the proving flight it was the first aircraft to ever fly to and land on the
Shetlands, a distance of 65 miles. The service was operated using these six aircraft for one year
before the British Government changed the rules.


Photos above: Jon Davison/ESP

They legislated that aircraft used in passenger services of more than 12 miles over water must be
multi engined machines. It was disposed of to an English company who pioneered a service from
Southend to Rochester. This venture failed financially after one year in operation. Exported in 1935
along with a second similar aircraft to Australia and both sold to McRobertson MillerAviation in Perth,
its British registration of G-ACEB was changed to the Australian registration of VH-USJ. It carries
this registration to this day.

It was leased to the Australian Aerial Medical Service
(In 1942 renamed the Royal Flying Doctor Service), and
became the first RFDS aircraft to be Stationed in Port
Hedland. Badly damaged in a cyclone in I939 (left, the
three members of the Brookes family shown here
are presently living in Perth, below). It was repaired
and eventually resumed service with that organisation.
It was sold to the RFDS in 1945 and became the first
aircraft,


to be owned by the Western Australian Branch. It continued service until it
was disposed of to a private owner in the about 1960 and was destroyed in
a taxiing accident in 1962. The remains were stored in a W.A. farmers shed but
owned by a Maitland NSW enthusiast who offered them for sale. Robyn Stewart,
daughter of former RFDS Doctor the late Dr Harold Dicks who flew the machine
many times, aproached the present owner John Markham in aneffort to keep
this historic machine in WA.


John (left) was succesfull in gaining ownership and stored it in his hanger at Jandakot for a number of
years. The aircraft was restored for John by the Croydon Vintage Aircraft Co.in Manderville New
Zealand and flew again in November 2002. A period of exactly 40 years betwen flights.

Photos above: Jon Davison/ESP